October 2024–Riverkeeper Cameron Baxley conducted a flyover of the Apalachicola River with Southwings, to check on river and floodplain conditions after Hurricane Helene, including floodplain areas near proposed oil drilling. Southwings is a nonprofit that links volunteer pilots with other non-profit organizations to advocate for the restoration and protection of ecosystems across the
Southeast. Virginia Richard, Gulf Program Director, arranged for Pilot John Steward to fly all the way from the Atlanta area to Apalachicola to pick up Cameron at the Apalachicola airport
From Apalachicola they took flight over the Apalachicola River Basin 7 days after Hurricane Helene made landfall. Thus, conditions were not at the highest river level and had dropped drastically at that point. They observed the rivers and creeks at ‘bank full’ condition which is when the water reaches the top of the riverbank and begins spilling out into the floodplain. These conditions may appear extreme; however, these are minimal to average floods seen regularly every year.
Can you imagine the destruction that would be wrought if drilling were now in place near the river? Also imagine the outcome of a more direct hit or more severe flooding. Oil and rivers do not mix. Apalachicola Riverkeeper is leading the fight against an oil and gas drilling permit near the Apalachicola River in Calhoun County, upstream of the Apalachicola Bay.
